More Images

Locals cheer global firm's decision to make DeLand plant its North American divisional HQ

Joe Brash, center, president of Kingspan Insulated Panels North America stands next to DeLand Mayor Robert Apgarand Volusia County Councilwoman Pat Northeyalong with employees of Kingspan on Wednesday.

News-Journal/FATIMA HUSSEIN

FATIMA HUSSEINBUSINESS WRITER

Published: Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at 6:56 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at 10:14 p.m.

DELAND — Kingspan Group PLC, a global company based in the United Kingdom and Ireland, on Wednesday officially designated its manufacturing plant here as the North American headquarters for its insulated panels division.

Along with that designation, the company has committed to invest $2.3 million in capital improvements at its Kingspan Insulated Panels plant at 726 Summerhill Drive and plans to add at least 30 new jobs here over the next three years.

The DeLand plant, which opened in 2008, currently employs 132 people.

Volusia County and DeLand city officials and local business leaders joined Kingspan executives and workers in commemorating the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The afternoon event drew roughly 100 people.

Kingspan Insulated Panels, which describes itself as the world's largest manufacturer of insulated panels, previously had its North American headquarters in Jessup, Md.

Joe Brash, president of Kingspan Insulated Panels North America, said his company decided to move the division headquarters here because of its proximity to Orlando, which he said is a "convenient place to bring clients."

Also factoring in the company's decision is a state sales tax break for manufacturing equipment purchases that is set to take effect next April as well as economic incentives from the state and county.

Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday announced that Kingspan will receive a performance-based tax refund from the state and Volusia County of up to $90,000 provided the company makes good on its pledge to create at least 30 new jobs locally over the next three years that pay an average annual wage of $37,354 or more.

The county's portion of that incentive package would be $18,000.

Kingspan manufactures insulated metal panels for commercial, industrial, agricultural, cold storage and food processing markets. "The purpose of this event is to celebrate Volusia County supporting us here," Brash told The News-Journal on Wednesday. He added that he personally has been living in DeLand for the past year and a half.

Local leaders were in a jubilant mood as they addressed the crowd.

"When the city, county and state works together, great things can happen," said Griff Salmon, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Enterprise Florida.

Rob Ehrhardt, the county's economic development manager, said, "We are excited" that Kingspan Insulated Panels has chosen to base its operations for both the United States and Canada here.

DeLand Mayor Robert Apgar said, "Because Kingspan is an international company, DeLand's position in the global economy is stronger and larger now."

He credited Bob Turk, the city's former economic development manager, for assisting in Kingspan's expansion project.

"These are exactly the kinds of jobs we need in Volusia County," said County Council member Pat Northey. "We all know how important high paying jobs are to the families of Volusia County."

Enterprise Florida, the city, the county, Workforce Florida and the Center for Business Excellence — the workforce development board for Volusia and Flagler counties — all played important roles in bringing Kingspan Insulated Panels' North American headquarters here, Northey said.

Kingspan Insulated Panels also has plants in Modesto, Calif., and Columbus, Ohio, as well as two in Canada. It employs a total of 400 workers in North America.

<p>DELAND &mdash; Kingspan Group PLC, a global company based in the United Kingdom and Ireland, on Wednesday officially designated its manufacturing plant here as the North American headquarters for its insulated panels division. </p><p>Along with that designation, the company has committed to invest $2.3 million in capital improvements at its Kingspan Insulated Panels plant at 726 Summerhill Drive and plans to add at least 30 new jobs here over the next three years. </p><p>The DeLand plant, which opened in 2008, currently employs 132 people.</p><p>Volusia County and DeLand city officials and local business leaders joined Kingspan executives and workers in commemorating the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The afternoon event drew roughly 100 people. </p><p>Kingspan Insulated Panels, which describes itself as the world's largest manufacturer of insulated panels, previously had its North American headquarters in Jessup, Md. </p><p>Joe Brash, president of Kingspan Insulated Panels North America, said his company decided to move the division headquarters here because of its proximity to Orlando, which he said is a "convenient place to bring clients." </p><p>Also factoring in the company's decision is a state sales tax break for manufacturing equipment purchases that is set to take effect next April as well as economic incentives from the state and county.</p><p>Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday announced that Kingspan will receive a performance-based tax refund from the state and Volusia County of up to $90,000 provided the company makes good on its pledge to create at least 30 new jobs locally over the next three years that pay an average annual wage of $37,354 or more.</p><p>The county's portion of that incentive package would be $18,000. </p><p>Kingspan manufactures insulated metal panels for commercial, industrial, agricultural, cold storage and food processing markets. "The purpose of this event is to celebrate Volusia County supporting us here," Brash told The News-Journal on Wednesday. He added that he personally has been living in DeLand for the past year and a half.</p><p>Local leaders were in a jubilant mood as they addressed the crowd. </p><p>"When the city, county and state works together, great things can happen," said Griff Salmon, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Enterprise Florida. </p><p>Rob Ehrhardt, the county's economic development manager, said, "We are excited" that Kingspan Insulated Panels has chosen to base its operations for both the United States and Canada here. </p><p>DeLand Mayor Robert Apgar said, "Because Kingspan is an international company, DeLand's position in the global economy is stronger and larger now." </p><p>He credited Bob Turk, the city's former economic development manager, for assisting in Kingspan's expansion project. </p><p>"These are exactly the kinds of jobs we need in Volusia County," said County Council member Pat Northey. "We all know how important high paying jobs are to the families of Volusia County."</p><p>Enterprise Florida, the city, the county, Workforce Florida and the Center for Business Excellence &mdash; the workforce development board for Volusia and Flagler counties &mdash; all played important roles in bringing Kingspan Insulated Panels' North American headquarters here, Northey said.</p><p>Kingspan Insulated Panels also has plants in Modesto, Calif., and Columbus, Ohio, as well as two in Canada. It employs a total of 400 workers in North America. </p><p>"We've already begun hiring," Brash said.</p>